Golf

Pádraig Harrington six off the pace at McGladrey Classic

Irishman shoots an opening 71 as he battles to secure his PGA Tour playing rights

Michael Thompson in action during the first round of The McGladrey Classic at Sea Island, Georgia. Thompson was among the early leaders following an opening 65. Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Thu Oct 23 2014 - 20:35

Pádraig Harrington's efforts to earn enough money to retain his US Tour card got off to a disappointing start yesterday when an opening round of one over par 71 at the McGladrey Classic left him six shots off the early pace.

Harrington, who is relying on sponsors' invitations at the moment, had birdies at the seventh and 15th at Sea Island, Georgia, but dropped shots at the fourth, 12th and 14th.

Brian Harman, Michael Thompson and Erik Compton set the early pace with five-under-par rounds of 65 in benign conditions while defending champion Chris Kirk, fresh from a superb showing in the FedEx play-off series, was among the later starters.

World number four Sergio Garcia will lead a heavyweight line-up in the second edition of the Turkish Airlines Open next month, organisers announced yesterday.

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The 34-year-old Spaniard joins Ryder Cup team mates Victor Dubuisson, world number five Henrik Stenson, US Open winner Martin Kaymer and former world number one Lee Westwood at the penultimate event of the European Tour season.

Stenson, beaten 3 & 1 by Finn Mikko Ilonen in Sunday’s Volvo World Match Play Championship final at the London Club, believes the Nov. 13-16 event held in Antalya is one of the most popular weeks on the schedule.

“The Turkish Open has already become one of the biggest and best events on the European Tour,” said the Swede.

Dubuisson eclipsed the likes of Tiger Woods and Justin Rose to claim his maiden tour victory there last year.

His debut

“The Turkish Open is where it all started for me and I’m delighted to be able to return,” said the Frenchman who made his debut at the Ryder Cup in Scotland last month when Europe defeated the United States by 16 ½ points to 11 ½.

Seventy-eight players will compete for a healthy prize fund of €7 million ($8.87 million) at the Colin Montgomerie-designed Maxx Royal course in Antalya.

The top 60 players on the money-list after the Turkish Open will qualify for the €6.5 million DP World Tour Championship in Dubai from November 20-23 – the final event of the season.

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